A ten year program for the conservation of freshwater turtles and tortoises has been initiated by the CrocBank in collaboration with the Forest Department of concerned states. The project aims at assessing the current population of the endangered turtle species, procuring other specimens for captive breeding and restocking programs, combined with habitat protection and management.

Commencing in the state of Uttar Pradesh during October 2004, the project has over the last year extended into Madhya Pradesh. In both states extensive surveys of various rivers and water bodies and habitats have been conducted. Over time the project will extend into Rajasthan, states of north eastern India , Orissa and West Bengal .

Captive breeding of critically endangered species is one of the major thrusts of the project and gene pools for all Indian turtles will be maintained at the Bank as a back up in newly constructed enclosures. Gene pools will also be maintained at Kukrail Endangered Species Breeding Centre in Lucknow, UP. The hatchlings from these stocks will be eventually translocated to various states for restocking into their natural habitats. Currently, in situ hatcheries have been set up in two locations along the Chambal River for head starting target species

The project is being funded by the Turtle Survival Alliance and Shellshock.

A SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION EFFORT

The CrocBank made history in May 2004 when it successfully bred one of the world’s most critically endangered Indian Painted roof turtle, Kachuga kachuga for the first ever time in captivity. History repeated itself in May 2005 with two more clutches of thirteen and nine hatchlings , all of who are thriving in the centers nursery. The adults of these hatchlings were acquired from the Kukrail Reptile Conservation Center of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department.

This large 60 cm, rare and beautiful river turtle is protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is listed under the Action Plan Rating I of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Among the 28 species and sub species found in India they occupy top priority for conservation. In India their distribution is restricted to a few areas in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar , Assam and West Bengal . A species of large rivers it basks on sandbanks, logs and rocks and is a herbivore eating leafy matter and fruits. Over the years intensive pressure on habitats in terms of river courses changing, fishing and sand mining has destroyed their basking and nesting habitats. Poaching for food and trade has further depleted their numbers making them one of the worlds most threatened species.

Very few efforts have been made in the past to breed these turtles in captivity and even these have met with little success; hence their breeding at the CrocBank is a highly significant conservation effort.